The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-08-12
White Mt. Tour on a Tandem
Tricycle..
by FRANK W. JOHNSON AND HOWARD
s. THOMPSON.

BY FRANK W. JOHNSON AND HOWARD
s. THOMPSON.
Where and how to spend vacation
of four weeks was the query of two
Young men in Boston, one sultry, no,
afternoon, in the month of July 'e7
Several propositions were presented
and considered, but the taking tril
through the White Mts. eclipsed al
others.
This being finally agreed upon We
procured a Columbia Tandem Tricy'
Gle, deeming this the best mode OF
travelling for sightseeing and health
combined. Our baggage consisting OF
a small valise filed with necessary
clothing for the trip, which we strap
ped to our machine, we accordingly
left the city on the evening of July 14th,
for Putnam, Ct, there to spend few
DAYS with "lhe folk at home."
Our first days work was the hard
est during the whole trip, Ashland,
Mass, being our stopping place for
the night, finding good quarters at the
Central House. Notwithstanding
some lameness, we continued our way
toward Worcester, but on account OF
the intense heat we only reached
Shrewsbury. Here we knew friend
with whom we designed to spend the
night and upon inquiry found that he
lived mile back, on the road we had
lust travelled. There beings long hill of
nearly mile in length, for good coast
ing we decided to return, and upon ar
irving at the place, we found he had
gone away the previous day. Night
fast approaching with this long hill
now to climb, we felt somewhat
downhearted. Starting with the de-
termination to conquer all difficulties,
we Immediately set our faces towards
Shrewsbury again, reaching the place
tired and hungry, finding accommoda-
tons for the night, with the Misses
Hastings, there being no hotel.
From here we ran to Worcester,
passing the beautiful Quinsigamond
lake. Without making any stop we
pushed OH for Putnam, Ct, arriving
there at 7 p. m. After spending sever
al days at home, we commenced our
journey toward the White Hills of N.
H.
Leaving Putnam on the morning of
July goth, we returned to Worcester.
Passing through Grosvenordale, Ct,
we met well-to-do farmer, Elliott
Shumway, who was much interested
in our machine, so much SO that he
wanted to have short ride "just to
say that l have been on one of the
darn things" he said. We willingly
granted him the favor, and his express
sions of pleasure at being able to run
wheel, repaid us for our delay. We
remained at Worcester over night with
relatives on Merrick street.
Wishing to visit an old school chum
at Marlborough, we returned to
Shrewsbury again, passing the lake
and wishing we might have witnessed
the famous boat races of the previous
week.
At Shrewsbury we visited a curriers'
shop, the process being entirely new to
us, and very interesting, seeing how
leather for the grain shoes we wear, is
dressed, and witnessing the "trick of
the trade" in painting some hides to
initiate oak tanning, to deceive the
farmer in his ''cowhide boots"
Passing through the village of North
boro, we noticed the elegant residence
and well kept grounds of D. B. Wes-
son, the famous pistol manufacturer
of Springfield, Mass. The feature of
his place which pleased us the most,
was the elegant concrete walk which
extended the entire distance of the
grounds bordering ON the street of
which we took advantage, making ex-
cellent time. Marlboro reached, we
rode about town, visited our former
chum, talked over old school days, etc.
The principal industry is the manu-
facture of boots and shoes, there heing
no less than rs large factories employ
ing large force of operatives. This
we found to be very rapidly grow
ing town, and full of business enter
prise. Leaving Marlboro we had nice
roads to Clinton, passing through the
village of Berlin. just before reach
ing Clinton we encountered heavy
shower and sought shelter under saw
mill by the roadside. Here we were
compelled to stay for a couple of hours,
when the rain nearly ceasing, we pull
ed through the mud to the town, find
ing more congenial shelter at the we'll
kept Clinton House. Here we were
to remain till afternoon, the
rain continuing, in the meantime we
viewed the immense works of the
Clinton Wire Cloth Co. Here we met
former townspeople, Mr.. F. A. Reed
and G.. d. Gum.
DESTROYS of visiting Fitchburg, we
started at 2 p. M, passing through the
beautiful villages of Lancaster and
Leominster on the Ware, Nashua Il
Rochester railroad, arriving at City
Hall at 5 p. m. Here we were noticed
by one of our "Putnam boys" Mr..
Benz. Rich, who hailed us and invited
us into his piano and music rooms on
Main street, where we were entertain
I'd by him with some fine selections on
both pianos and organs. After taking
ga with Mr.. Rich, we started for Ash
)urnham over hard and lonely road
houses in some places only two or
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